17 FMD Cases Confirmed in Karasburg, More Testing Still Underway, Says Mubita
Acting Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Dr Charles Mubita has confirmed 17 positive Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) cases in the Karasburg State Veterinary District, as authorities continue testing to establish the full extent of the outbreak.
The 17 positive results were recorded from 199 samples collected between 22 and 25 September during a surveillance exercise across //Kharas, Khomas, Omaheke, Otjozondjupa and Oshana regions. All 17 positive samples came from Karasburg.
The latest findings follow the initial detection of FMD on 22 September at a farm in the Karasburg area, where 10 of 11 samples taken from a herd of 65 cattle tested positive.
Mubita said surveillance, traceability and clinical examinations are continuing, with veterinary officials from both the public and private sectors mobilised to determine how far the disease may have spread.
Four cattle that had moved from the infected farm to Otjozondjupa were also tested. Along with 26 other cattle tested as a precaution, all 30 samples returned negative results.
The 65 cattle at the infected farm and livestock on surrounding farms remain under strict monitoring.
The Ministry said the assessment is not yet complete, as the 14-day incubation period is still ongoing. Further surveillance and testing will therefore continue before authorities can determine the full extent of the outbreak.
Movement restrictions on cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products, introduced on 23 September, remain in place. The Ministry said the results of the ongoing surveillance will determine how, where and when some restrictions can gradually be eased.
Government and the livestock industry have also established an FMD Support Fund to strengthen efforts to contain the outbreak, while authorities continue urging livestock owners and the public to cooperate with veterinary officials.
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